Independent Television Service (ITVS) recently awarded KLRU a $750 Women & Girls Lead grant to fund costs associated with a Community Cinema screening in early September at Windsor Park Branch Library.

Women and Girls Lead is a multiyear public media initiative to leverage independent documentary film and public service engagement to amplify the voices of women and girl leaders, expand understanding of gender equity, and engage a network of citizens and organizations to tune in and get involved.

Community Cinema brings communities together through independent film by providing resources and opportunities for education, engagement, and action — transforming film and public broadcasting into powerful resources for individuals, communities and organizations. Community Cinema presents a different documentary the first Tuesday of the month at a public library.

Peace Unveiled is the film that took center stage on September 6th. It told the story of three women who organized in late 2009 when ground was being laid for peace talks with the Taliban. In order to protect women’s interests, they maneuvered against formidable odds to have their voices heard in a peace jirga and high peace council.

Peggy Kelsey of The Afghan Women’s Project spoke at the event about her personal visits to Afghanistan. She had interviewed a few of the women in the film for her book. Gaea Logan, a psychologist who started the Dakur project and who specializes in neurology behind psychological states, also spoke. She discussed the psychological strength it took the women to stand up and demand to be heard in front of the war lords who were on the peace panel. Audience discussion primarily focused on the topic of hope for the future of Afghanistan, and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to learn more about the issues presented in the screening.